Punctuation: when to use it and why
We use punctuation every day, in everything we do. We use it when we write emails, when we write notes with pen and paper, even when we write texts. Okay, sometimes we don’t use punctuation in texts, but we really should!
You may need these one day and wonder, why? Or you may never use some of them in your life. Each punctuation mark has a function, and some we can use to do the job of other punctuation marks.
Here are some reasons why proper punctuation is important:
Correct punctuation shows language proficiency and attention to detail, which is important in professional settings.
It helps show different writing styles, such as formal academic writing, casual social media posts, or creative storytelling.
Incorrect or missing punctuation can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and miscommunication (example, ‘When are we eating Dad?’ Vs ‘When are we eating, Dad?’)
Writing with proper punctuation looks professional and more credible.
Punctuation conveys your tone (example, are you yelling, asking a question or just saying something?)
It helps us read the message more easily, because the sentences flow and the reader moves through the writing smoothly.
Here is a quick Punctuation Guide to show you when and how to use these helpful writing tools.
Your turn! Try to write a sentence, question or exclamation using each of these punctuation marks. Have fun and be creative, try to write so that the sentences all make a short story. Feel free to send your story to us by email.
P.S. You can download our Punctuation Guide here, or read more about each punctuation mark here.
Happy writing!
